Awasthi
Encyclopedia
Awasthi is a surname
of a particular sub-caste of Brahmin
s of Nepal and India
. The Awasthi Brahmin
s belong to the kanya-kubja Brahman categories of Brahmans of northern India as well as in western areas of Nepal], but also in Gaur
, Saryupari and Sannaadhya.
(and the adjoining hinterland i.e. from Kannauj
) located in the fertile
Gangetic plains of Awadh
, presently forming part of the state of Uttar Pradesh
, India. Awasthi Brahmins are also found in Kangra district of North Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. They have been residing there for several centuries. Awasthi Brahmins are also located at village Naret & Pantgaon (Askote). It is believed that in ancient times two Awasthi Brahmins came from Kanya Kubz to Naret for some adventure. One of them was overwhelmed by beauty of that place and decided to live there Since then. Some of them are now started living at Jauljibi, Dutibagad, Chamtoli and other places in the Pithoragarh
district of Kumaon
, Uttarakhand
State for last several generations. According to another theory, Awasthi Brahmins have migrated from Uttar Pradesh, however there is no recorded proof for this. The geographical area, where majority of Awasthi families
are presently located, for last several centuries, has a rich historical heritage and is a crystal ball of ancient as well as the modern Indian civilization. When India is ruled by Muslims then they migrate to far-western Nepal to protect their religion, culture. Some of them migrated and settled in Gueli and Selagaun villages of Dadeldhura district. These Awasthis are decendents of Pt. Hatairaj Awasthi.
No credible source of information exists as regards to the period Awasthi Brahmins have been residing in Awadh area. There is also no complete and authoritative count of North Indian Brahmin sub-castes (or any other castes / sub-castes) in India. For example, Rev. M.A. Sherring in the 1860s, had compiled names of about 2,000 sub-castes of Brahmins in his second volume of his Hindu
Tribe
s and Caste
s.where are the kul guru ( jathere )of Modgil Gotra , Awasthis is still a mystery .
s are descended from the Saptarishis (sapta means seven and rishiss means sages in Sanskrit
). The other meaning of Saptarishis is constellation
of Great Bear (Ursa Major
).
According to Indian mythology
, these seven sages were Brigu, Angirh, Atri, Viswamitra, Kashyap, Vashisht, and Agastya. Awasthi Brahmins belong to sage Atri Gotra, and sage Upamanyus, along with sages like Vishisht, Kundin, Parashara and Jatukaraniya followed the school of (thought) of sage Vasistha
. Mythological evidences suggest that the Sage Upamanyus followed the Yajur Veda. The Awasthi Brahmins located in District Pithoragagh of Uttarakhand State belong to Agastya Gotra and are Yajurvedadhyayi. From the ancient time of the Vedic period, Awasthi Brahmins have always excelled in intellectual and martial pursuits. In Brahmin hierarchical level, they are like Shukla
, Mishra
and Vajpayee
Brahmins.
Awasthi Brahmins who have been living in the Malwa region of M.P.,are mostly Shandhya Brahmins.According to old history & "JAGAS" records most of the Awasthi families spreading all over in M.P.migrated here from Rajasthan . The presence of famous Awasthi ji ki bawadi & sati chaura lokated at historical place Shahabad,a small town of Baran district in Rajasthan certify this fact. It is considered as the " Pahala Khera" or the most sacred place of Shandhya Awasthi Brahmin
Dr.Yogendra Kumar Awasthi S/O DhaniRam Sharma S/O HeeraLal Awasthi Vill+Post-Mahgora Khair,Dist-Aligarh UP-202155. (Science & Technology in RF & Microwave Communication)
The Vansh Vreksha of Awasthi is collectively prepared by Pt. M.D. Awasthi, Dr. D.D. Awasthi, Dr. S.C. Awasthi, Shri A.M. Awasthi, Sri M.M. Awashti, Sri H.B. Awasthi, and computer version by N.B. Awasthi (writer and social worker).
s, who was indoctrinated in the school (of thought) of sage Vashist, the surname Awasthi is likely to be a shortened "Awadhi" form and derivative of “Awadh-Vashist”.
The mother tongue of Awasthi Brahmins is Awadhi, an Indo-Aryan language, akin to Hindi
. Awadhi is the language, in which, the famed epic
Sri Ramacharit Manas was written by Tulasi Das
. Like most of the north Indian Brahmins, Awasthi Brahmins do not allow consanguineous marriages, which are in vogue in some social groups in other parts of India.
Barkha Awasthi is also known Awasthis in Kumaon
speak Kumaoni.Awasthis from Pithoragadh migrated to Western Nepal during the neapali invasion in Kumano. They are residing at Khatali village of Baitadi District, in Nepal. Some Awasthis migrated to Gajela village of Dadeldhura District in Nepal.
Surname
A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
of a particular sub-caste of Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
s of Nepal and India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The Awasthi Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
s belong to the kanya-kubja Brahman categories of Brahmans of northern India as well as in western areas of Nepal], but also in Gaur
Gaur
The gaur , also called Indian bison, is a large bovine native to South Asia and Southeast Asia. The species is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1986 as the population decline in parts of the species' range is likely to be well over 70% over the last three generations...
, Saryupari and Sannaadhya.
History
For last several centuries, Awasthi Brahmins have been located in and around Kanpur and UnnaoUnnao
The town of Unnao is the headquarters of Unnao District in Uttar Pradesh, India between Kanpur and Lucknow. It is approximately 18 km from Kanpur & 60 km from Lucknow . It is connected to these two cities by roadway as well as by railway. The nearest airport is at Amausi about...
(and the adjoining hinterland i.e. from Kannauj
Kannauj
Kannauj , also spelt Kanauj, is a city, administrative headquarters and a municipal board or Nagar Palika Parishad in Kannauj district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The city's name is traditionally derived from the term Kanyakubja . Kannauj is an ancient city, in earlier times the capital...
) located in the fertile
Fertile
The term fertile describes a condition whereby organisms are able to produce physically healthy offspring.Fertile may also refer to:...
Gangetic plains of Awadh
Awadh
Awadh , also known in various British historical texts as Oudh or Oude derived from Ayodhya, is a region in the centre of the modern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, which was before independence known as the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh...
, presently forming part of the state of Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
, India. Awasthi Brahmins are also found in Kangra district of North Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. They have been residing there for several centuries. Awasthi Brahmins are also located at village Naret & Pantgaon (Askote). It is believed that in ancient times two Awasthi Brahmins came from Kanya Kubz to Naret for some adventure. One of them was overwhelmed by beauty of that place and decided to live there Since then. Some of them are now started living at Jauljibi, Dutibagad, Chamtoli and other places in the Pithoragarh
Pithoragarh
Pithoragarh, is a city with a Municipal Board in the Pithoragarh district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, was carved out of district of Almora in 1962.-Geography:...
district of Kumaon
Kumaon Division
For Kumaoni/Kumauni People see Kumauni PeopleKumaon or Kumaun is one of the two regions and administrative divisions of Uttarakhand, a mountainous state of northern India, the other being Garhwal. It includes the districts of Almora, Bageshwar, Champawat, Nainital, Pithoragarh, and Udham Singh Nagar...
, Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand , formerly Uttaranchal, is a state in the northern part of India. It is often referred to as the Land of Gods due to the many holy Hindu temples and cities found throughout the state, some of which are among Hinduism's most spiritual and auspicious places of pilgrimage and worship...
State for last several generations. According to another theory, Awasthi Brahmins have migrated from Uttar Pradesh, however there is no recorded proof for this. The geographical area, where majority of Awasthi families
Family
In human context, a family is a group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, or co-residence. In most societies it is the principal institution for the socialization of children...
are presently located, for last several centuries, has a rich historical heritage and is a crystal ball of ancient as well as the modern Indian civilization. When India is ruled by Muslims then they migrate to far-western Nepal to protect their religion, culture. Some of them migrated and settled in Gueli and Selagaun villages of Dadeldhura district. These Awasthis are decendents of Pt. Hatairaj Awasthi.
No credible source of information exists as regards to the period Awasthi Brahmins have been residing in Awadh area. There is also no complete and authoritative count of North Indian Brahmin sub-castes (or any other castes / sub-castes) in India. For example, Rev. M.A. Sherring in the 1860s, had compiled names of about 2,000 sub-castes of Brahmins in his second volume of his Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
Tribe
Tribe
A tribe, viewed historically or developmentally, consists of a social group existing before the development of, or outside of, states.Many anthropologists use the term tribal society to refer to societies organized largely on the basis of kinship, especially corporate descent groups .Some theorists...
s and Caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
s.where are the kul guru ( jathere )of Modgil Gotra , Awasthis is still a mystery .
Reference to ancestry
According to studies conducted by Rev. M A Sherring, all the chief Brahmin gotraGotra
In the Hindu society, the term Gotra broadly refers to people who are descendants in an unbroken male line from a common male ancestor. Panini defines gotra for grammatical purposes as apatyam pautraprabhrti gotram , which means "the word gotra denotes the progeny beginning with the son's son"...
s are descended from the Saptarishis (sapta means seven and rishiss means sages in Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
). The other meaning of Saptarishis is constellation
Constellation
In modern astronomy, a constellation is an internationally defined area of the celestial sphere. These areas are grouped around asterisms, patterns formed by prominent stars within apparent proximity to one another on Earth's night sky....
of Great Bear (Ursa Major
Ursa Major
Ursa Major , also known as the Great Bear, is a constellation visible throughout the year in most of the northern hemisphere. It can best be seen in April...
).
According to Indian mythology
Indian mythology
Indian mythology may refer to:*Indian epic poetry*Vedic mythology*Hindu mythology*Buddhist mythology*Native American mythology...
, these seven sages were Brigu, Angirh, Atri, Viswamitra, Kashyap, Vashisht, and Agastya. Awasthi Brahmins belong to sage Atri Gotra, and sage Upamanyus, along with sages like Vishisht, Kundin, Parashara and Jatukaraniya followed the school of (thought) of sage Vasistha
Vasistha
Vashist in the seventh, i.e the present Manvantara, and the Rajpurohit / Rajguru of the Suryavansha or Solar Dynasty. He was the mānasaputra of Brahma. He had in his possession the divine cow Kamadhenu, and Nandini her child, who could grant anything to their owners...
. Mythological evidences suggest that the Sage Upamanyus followed the Yajur Veda. The Awasthi Brahmins located in District Pithoragagh of Uttarakhand State belong to Agastya Gotra and are Yajurvedadhyayi. From the ancient time of the Vedic period, Awasthi Brahmins have always excelled in intellectual and martial pursuits. In Brahmin hierarchical level, they are like Shukla
Shukla
Shukla paksha refers to the bright lunar fortnight or waxing moon in the Hindu calendar. Shukla the dark phase; paksha refers to a fortnight in the Hindu calendar....
, Mishra
Mishra
Mishra or Misra is a Hindu Brahmin surname found mostly in the northern and central parts of India.It is one of the most widespread Brahmin surnames in the fertile Gangetic plain region and in the Indian states of Punjab, Delhi, Orissa, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh,...
and Vajpayee
Vajpayee
Vajpayee or Bajpai is a North Indian Brahmin surname, common, among other places, especially in Lucknow. Brahmins,are further sub categorised as Kanyakubjas, a group that also includes Awasthi, Dixits, Tewari, Tripathi, Agnihotri etc...
Brahmins.
Awasthi Brahmins who have been living in the Malwa region of M.P.,are mostly Shandhya Brahmins.According to old history & "JAGAS" records most of the Awasthi families spreading all over in M.P.migrated here from Rajasthan . The presence of famous Awasthi ji ki bawadi & sati chaura lokated at historical place Shahabad,a small town of Baran district in Rajasthan certify this fact. It is considered as the " Pahala Khera" or the most sacred place of Shandhya Awasthi Brahmin
Vansh Vreksha and villages of Askote region in Uttarakhand district of Pithoragarh
Awasthi Brahmin families lived in Naret and Pant Gaon in the hills of Uttarakhand. They are closely associated with Pal Raj Vansh of Askote state as Deewan for kings court. The Brahmin migrated in Askote region somewhere from plains of Uttar Pradesh. The Razwar (a King with limited power to collect land revenue) of Askote requested the first man as highness Rajpurohit. He first man who came to Askote was Pt. Kaamal Dev Jyu. The king of Askote met the Kailash Yatri Pandit Kamal Devjyu Awasthi at Yatra PARAV nearby his Court At BAGARIHAT/UKKU and made agree to him to be his RAJ PUROHI. The village Naret was gifted to Kamal dev ji by the Razwar (King) of Askote Riyasat. Some other villages as Chamtoli, Pantgaon, Dutibagad, Jauljibi purchased or occupied by later generations. These are the basic villages of Awasthi families of Askote.Dr.Yogendra Kumar Awasthi S/O DhaniRam Sharma S/O HeeraLal Awasthi Vill+Post-Mahgora Khair,Dist-Aligarh UP-202155. (Science & Technology in RF & Microwave Communication)
The Vansh Vreksha of Awasthi is collectively prepared by Pt. M.D. Awasthi, Dr. D.D. Awasthi, Dr. S.C. Awasthi, Shri A.M. Awasthi, Sri M.M. Awashti, Sri H.B. Awasthi, and computer version by N.B. Awasthi (writer and social worker).
Language
Being residing in the ancient land of Awadh and their gotra being UpamanyuUpamanyu
Upamanyu is the name of a Hindu rishi, the traditional author of hymn 1.102.9 of the Rig Veda.The historian B. C. Law, writing in the 1920s, supposed that Upamanyu was the father of Kamboja Aupamanyava referred to in the Vamsa Brahmana of the Sama Veda....
s, who was indoctrinated in the school (of thought) of sage Vashist, the surname Awasthi is likely to be a shortened "Awadhi" form and derivative of “Awadh-Vashist”.
The mother tongue of Awasthi Brahmins is Awadhi, an Indo-Aryan language, akin to Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
. Awadhi is the language, in which, the famed epic
Epic poetry
An epic is a lengthy narrative poem, ordinarily concerning a serious subject containing details of heroic deeds and events significant to a culture or nation. Oral poetry may qualify as an epic, and Albert Lord and Milman Parry have argued that classical epics were fundamentally an oral poetic form...
Sri Ramacharit Manas was written by Tulasi Das
Tulsidas
Tulsidas , was a Hindu poet-saint, reformer and philosopher renowned for his devotion for the god Rama...
. Like most of the north Indian Brahmins, Awasthi Brahmins do not allow consanguineous marriages, which are in vogue in some social groups in other parts of India.
Barkha Awasthi is also known Awasthis in Kumaon
Kumaon Division
For Kumaoni/Kumauni People see Kumauni PeopleKumaon or Kumaun is one of the two regions and administrative divisions of Uttarakhand, a mountainous state of northern India, the other being Garhwal. It includes the districts of Almora, Bageshwar, Champawat, Nainital, Pithoragarh, and Udham Singh Nagar...
speak Kumaoni.Awasthis from Pithoragadh migrated to Western Nepal during the neapali invasion in Kumano. They are residing at Khatali village of Baitadi District, in Nepal. Some Awasthis migrated to Gajela village of Dadeldhura District in Nepal.